10.4.1 Proportion of students with disabilities

Support for Students with Disabilities at Srinakharinwirot University, Academic Year 2024

Srinakharinwirot University is committed to providing equal access and high-quality support for students with disabilities throughout their academic journey. This includes assistance in admissions, learning, campus accessibility, and overall student well-being.

Number of Students with Disabilities:

Undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs enrolled a total of 26 students with disabilities in the 2024 academic year. The breakdown by type of disability is as follows:

Number and Proportion of Students with Disabilities (Undergraduate to Doctoral Levels)

In the 2024 academic year, Srinakharinwirot University had a total of 26 students with disabilities enrolled across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs.

Calculation of Proportion

Proportion of students with disabilities %= Number of students with disabilities (FTE)Total number of students (FTE)×100

26 Students with disabilities31,716 Students×100= 0.082%

Interpretation

The total of 26 students with disabilities represents 0.082% of all students enrolled at the university. In the academic year 2024, Srinakharinwirot University had a total enrollment of 31,716 students, comprising 28,281 undergraduate students, 2,302 master’s degree students, and 1,093 doctoral students.

This demonstrates the university’s commitment to inclusive education and provides a baseline for monitoring and improving accessibility and support services for students with disabilities.

SDG Alignment

SDG 4 – Quality Education: Ensures equitable learning opportunities for students with disabilities.

SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Supports inclusion and equal access to higher education.

However, Srinakharinwirot University student activities have organized various programs aimed at supporting students with disabilities, ensuring their happiness and reducing inequality throughout their university life. These initiatives include tailored academic support, accessible learning environments, and inclusive extracurricular activities designed to foster an inclusive campus culture. By doing so, the university promotes equal opportunities for students with disabilities, enabling them to fully participate in academic, social, and extracurricular activities.

1. SWU Buddy Program: Peer Support for Students with Disabilities

The SWU Buddy Program aims to provide students with disabilities a peer companion and an active participant in university life, helping them build social skills, confidence, and independence. The program also promotes awareness, understanding, and positive attitudes among student volunteers regarding the diverse experiences and needs of students with different types of disabilities. By fostering an inclusive campus culture and encouraging volunteerism, the program strengthens peer support networks and empowers students with disabilities to fully engage in academic, social, and extracurricular activities.

Impact/Relevance to SDG 10.4.1

• Supports equitable access to social and academic opportunities for students with disabilities.

• Enhances the proportion of students with disabilities who are actively participating in university programs and activities.

• Contributes to the development of inclusive practices and peer mentorship models, aligning with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

The training is designed to impart knowledge and understanding to student buddies, enabling them to assist students with disabilities in basic support measures, particularly those with visual impairments and mobility or physical disabilities. The course includes proper guiding techniques for visually impaired students and safe, appropriate wheelchair pushing methods.

A student buddy assisted a peer with a wheelchair by pushing the wheelchair from the university to the MRT (subway) station to facilitate their travel back to their accommodation. This act demonstrates kindness and support for the accessible use of public services by students with disabilities, as well as fostering positive relationships between student buddies and students with disabilities.

2. Student Affairs and the SWU DSS Center: Promoting Higher Education Access for Students with Disabilities

The Student Affairs Division at Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) recognizes the importance of higher education for students with disabilities. To promote equitable access and inclusion, the university has established policies that allow students with various types of disabilities to pursue higher education. To support this, the SWU Disability Support Services (DSS) Center has been established on the first floor of the Student Affairs Division, Office of the President, Prasarnmit Campus. The Center provides comprehensive services to students with disabilities, including:

1. Financial Support: Educational grants provided by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation for undergraduate students with disabilities.

2. Academic Support: Assistance and facilitation in learning, such as photocopying, scanning course materials, report binding, and providing other necessary learning aids. This includes reading exams for visually impaired students and coordinating with faculty for inclusive teaching.

3. Assistive Learning Equipment: Lending devices such as laptops, audio recorders, magnifiers, Braille printers, Braille note-taking devices, electric wheelchairs, specialized desks, and more.

4. Information Technology Support: Providing assistive software, including screen readers (JAWS), Braille translation software (Duxbury), and screen magnification programs (ZoomText).

5. Peer Support Program: Assigning SWU Buddy students to assist students with disabilities in academic and campus life.

6. Employment Opportunities: Promoting work-study programs and part-time employment opportunities for students with disabilities during their studies.